CLARKSVILLE - In a defensive slugfest at Metheny Field, the visiting Farmington Cardinals won by one over the hitherto unbeaten Panthers by the throwback score of 7-6.

Farmington (2-1), last year's 1AAAA Conference champs, showed why as they played stellar defense and special teams (with one exception) throughout the contest. Operating behind what in local parlance are usually referred to as "some big old boys" in the pits, the Cardinal backfield of signal-caller Dakota Cooper with running backs Jairemy Smith and Brandon Miller managed to chew up the clock and do the damage when they had to.

The visitors won by dint of fielding a very balanced offensive attack complemented by a smothering defense. Smith was the speed-burner and his running mate Miller was the workhorse. They were spelled by fullback Caleb Stiles. Add the passing accuracy of Cooper, and it presented a very scary senior scenario to Clarksville (2-1).

Yet the hometown team made a very good fight - which, at times, it almost literally became. The Panther defense allowed some long gainers but usually managed some timely damage control on crucial downs. For the most part, they bent but didn't break.

The first quarter was scoreless but interesting as Clarksville defender Matt Pickering recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Panthers the football on their 42. Looper made good on a 4th-and-inches keeper to sustain the drive, and a few plays later made a very nice keeper off play-action for another 8 yards. Farmington's Stiles slowed the assault with a third-down sack allowing teammate Aaron Miner to call a halt with an interception in the end zone.

Blake Neumeier and Austin Curran repaid the compliment by answering with a combined quarterback sack of Cooper on the next series. Then it was Farmington's turn again as Jeremy Maroney registered another loss on Clarksville's Looper.

Just when it looked as if the Cardinals were within striking distance, they were beset by a spate of penalties. When they got the ball the next time, they wouldn't be denied. Following a fumbled-but-recovered punt, Farmington roared 51 yards in two plays. Dakota Cooper threw a strike over the middle to Miller, who proceeded to outrun the Clarksville secondary for a 42-yard pass play to the Panther 8. The Cards' Jairemy Smith zipped around the left side for the touchdown. Mahoney added the extra point to make it 7-0 Farmington midway through the second quarter.

The Cardinals came close to a repeat performance on their next series as Cooper connected with Mahoney for a 19-yard gain to the Panther 34. Jordan Hignite averted disaster on the next play by making a fumble recovery on the sideline after another Farmington long pass play. After a hard-fought first half, the score was 7-0 in favor of the Cardinals.

In a third quarter that featured more penalties and less offense, both teams traded blows and blown plays. Things started looking up for Clarksville when Neumeier gathered in a fumble at Farmington's 33. Juan Salinas made a key play by blasting over right tackle for six yards on a 4th-and-inches situation. Miner nabbed another Looper misfire to quell the threat at the 5. After a three-and-out series, Neumeier again stepped to the fore and blocked a punt, enabling Clarksville's Hignite to score on a quick pitch to the right side for a 3-yard touchdown. Johnny Garcia sliced the extra-point attempt and just missed tying the game at the start of the fourth quarter.

The remainder of the game saw Farmington play flawless ball-control football featuring a coffin-corner kick and a battering ground game to run out the clock. The game ended on the Clarksville 3.

The Panthers open 4AAAA Conference play on the road next week when they travel to Booneville to face the Bearcats.